Great Expectations
|
Is he looking for you?
March of Dimes
Video: 
"The Stork" is here for
. 28/56k modem
users
. Cable/DSL
modem users
Fast Fact:
Birth defects are the leading cause of death for infants in the United
States. An estimated 150,000 infants will be born with birth defects
this year; about 500 in Rhode Island.
|
Most mothers-to-be expect that healthy habits during pregnancy will give
their babies a good start after birth, but many don't realize that adopting
those healthy habits before pregnancy can have an impact, too.
Because half of all pregnancies in the United States are unplanned, it's a
good idea to be prepared. Here are some tips from the March of Dimes:
- Every day, take 400 micrograms of folic acid, a B vitamin that can
reduce the risk of brain and spinal cord defects by 70 percent. Folic acid
is most beneficial when the mother-to-be has made taking folic acid a habit before
conception; a daily multivitamin can keep you
covered. A bonus: research suggests that folic acid may also help prevent
cervical and colon cancer.
- Get regular medical check-ups with your primary care physician and
discuss any health risks that might be associated with pregnancy, regardless
of whether you intend to conceive. If you have a chronic medical problem,
such as diabetes, epilepsy or high blood pressure, manage it effectively by
getting regular check-ups with a specialist and following his or her advice.
- Keep your vaccinations up-to-date, especially measles, hepatitis
and rubella. These can be passed from mother to child before birth and cause
serious birth defects, even if the mother's symptoms are mild.
- Get fit. Find your ideal weight, eat healthy and exercise
regularly. A balanced diet ensures that you have the proper nutrients to
give the baby a good start. Watch what you eat; don't eat undercooked meat
or foods that may put you at risk for food
poisoning.
- Don't smoke, drink excessive amounts of alcohol or abuse drugs.
These also increase the chance of birth defects, even before the baby is
conceived.
- Be aware of toxic substances or chemicals and minimize your contact
with them. Don't handle cat litter or inhale cat litter fumes; this can
cause toxoplasmosis, an infection that can harm an unborn child.
- Practice proper hand washing techniques to guard against infectious
diseases. Some tips
- Don't forget dad. Fathers-to-be should adopt these practices as
well. In some instances, as in the case of alcohol or cigarette use, poor health
practices can affect the quality of the father's sperm, increasing the risk of
birth defects. In other cases, a father's unhealthy habits can put the
mother-to-be at increased risk.
For more information, visit the March of Dimes online at www.modimes.org.
Back
|
